When we tested the RAV4 Hybrid on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route, it delivered 37 mpg, 1 mpg less than its EPA rating. The EPA estimates it'll achieve 41 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 40 mpg combined, beating the regular RAV4 by 14 mpg, 5 mpg, and 11 mpg, respectively. When compared with a gas-powered all-wheel-drive RAV4, the hybrid model is far more efficient. If only a 120-volt outlet is available, expect charging times to be about 12 hours. A 3.3-kWh onboard charger is standard and a 6.6-kWh charger is optional on the Prime XSE it decreases charging time to just 2.5 hours on a 240-volt outlet. In our testing, we managed to drive for 32 miles on electricity alone, but that was on the highway we would expect longer driving range in the city. The plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime stores its electrons in an 18.1-kWh battery pack, and the EPA rates its electric-only driving range at 42 miles.
If you want even more performance, the Prime model is happy to oblige.
Drivers will feel that pep, too, particularly around town, where the electric motor's gratifyingly immediate power delivery gives it an extra shove when taking off from a stop. It snapped off a 7.4-second 60-mph time in our hands while the gas-only model needed 8.0 seconds to perform the same task. Not only is the RAV4 Hybrid more efficient than the unelectrified model, it's also quicker. All-wheel drive is standard-one of the electric motors powers the rear wheels and the second motor and the gasoline engine drive the fronts-as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The RAV4 Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that's assisted by two electric motors for a combined output of 219 horsepower. Buyers of the XLE will enjoy conveniences such as passive keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver's seat, LED projector headlamps with automatic high-beams, heated exterior mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, and front fog lamps. If you don't qualify for the tax credit, we'd recommend the XLE Hybrid, which offers more standard equipment than the base LE without suffering much of an uptick in price. Of the two Prime models, the XSE is packed with more standard features, including 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, and an infotainment system with a larger 9.0-inch display. If you can qualify for the $7500 electric-vehicle tax credit, the RAV4 Prime is a no-brainer, as the government's financial incentive lowers its price substantially-and you get a RAV4 with more power and significant electric-only driving range.